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February, 2025

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NS Bootfitter Definition

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skiingute
Posts: 630 - Karma: 15
I have found Newschoolers answer to anything boot to be : "go to a bootfitter"

Every time I see that response I just laugh my fucking ass off at how naive people are thinking that is somehow helpful. Instead of saying "go to a bootfitter" educate people on what the fuck people should even be looking at.

Most shops don't have bootfitters, they have the Payless Shoe equivalent. They aren't some sort of expert they just have a foot measurement tool that they may or may not even know how to use. It is laughable.

Look at the last(width) of the boot. You can slash off 1/4 to 1/2 of the boots on the market right there. Weight/height/skill set will easily slash down another 1/4 to 1/2 of boots based off flex index. The sole length will give you an idea of how long of boot you will need. Keep in mind most boots dont actually have half sizes.  When people ask about boots don't just say "go to a bootfitter" you can give several boots that they may want to try on. Clearly not all boots will fit and the best boot is the one that fits. That doesnt mean the park rat shouldnt look at any park/freestlye boots.

You can help people without simply saying "go to a boot fitter". Plenty of people don't even live near a legit boot fitter or even a ski shop.
13 years ago
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TOAST.
Posts: 7647 - Karma: 38,396
Only problem with this is that you then go into the shop with a bias toward a boot.
13 years ago
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6731 - Karma: 11,641
This. What one person will rave about, will be the death of someone else- recommending a boot without seeing a foot, rarely ever works well. The only real answer to give someone over the internet will be the advice of "go see a boot-fitter". If one does not exist near you, make the trip. If you live in Florida, wait until your ski vacation and buy one at your destination.

The only real viable questions are the ones that arise after someone has been fit. Quality questions, fit problems, etc can be semi-addressed, but are still no substitute for seeing a fitter.

However, I do think that if someone is truly clueless, they should read the sticky and get an idea of what to expect in general when they go to buy a new boot.
13 years ago
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Simmo
Posts: 512 - Karma: 28
They should actively seek out a shop that has properly trained boot fitters. Regardless of whether they live near one or not.

Boot advice over the internet is almost worthless.
13 years ago
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868

The answer is always 'go to a bootfitter', and it means a proper bootfitter, not some pleb shoe salesman. If they only measure 1 foot, don't do a shell fit, blah blah blah, they're not a bootfitter, they're a pleb pretending to be a bootfitter. The only way to guarantee a good fit is to go to a proper bootfitter and, shock horror, get fitted for some boots. Anything else and you're just asking for trouble.

I mean sure we can suggest boots that might be good but so can a bootfitter, within about 30 seconds of looking at your feet, and they'll have a way, way better idea of what's gonna work for you than all of us internet-experts combined.

13 years ago
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 225
pretty much this.


to op

there have been good threads about boots on here before, but if someone asks what boot should i get booter or hotdogger, they obviously know nothing about the boot, or bootfitting.


now when someone asks: "The il moro and hotdogger both fit me,(since they have a similar last and shape) what would be best for me?

then they provide info and people put their input from their experiences with the boot.

i think that some people on the site provide great info when it comes to boot threads when the op is not a total noob/idiot. onenerdykid posts in about every boot thread and always has good information, but all of the great knowledge he puts on this site means NOTHING if the boot doesnt fit right.


if your shop doesnt have a qualified boot fitter i wouldnt shop there.
13 years ago
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dylan.r.1080
Posts: 161 - Karma: 10
...last does not mean width. it can give you an idea of the width, but last measures more than width.
13 years ago
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,003
I want I say this to anyone wanting a boot recommended to them thru NS

Post photos of their fucking feet.. from every conceivable angle, and then show a picture of their foot in either a brannock, or at the very least, lined up on a tape measure.

...but then you have to hope to hell that whoever chimes in on your thread knows what the fuck they are talking about when it comes to bootfitting. Something I can assure you is slightly improbable based on the ratio of "get full tilts" folks to "I actually know what the fuck's up" folks.


13 years ago
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 461
Telling them what boot to buy over the internet is like telling them what shoe size to buy based on their height.
13 years ago
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JsNeagle
Posts: 1406 - Karma: 1,577
This statement goes to show that you are actually the one who doesn't know what he's talking about.
13 years ago
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9240 - Karma: 5,630
don't they not? they have a single shell size that covers wo liners, i.e. one shell has a 25 and 25.5 liner. the shell stays the same size but the liners change.
13 years ago
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6731 - Karma: 11,641
This is the confusing thing Neagle, that (in a standard sense) while you can buy a 26.5, it is the same thing as a 26.0- the shell is the same size, and so is the liner. Now, some companies might slightly narrow the whole size liner (like Salomon) but once you heat mold the liner it will take the shape of the shell and the foot, negating any difference between the whole and half size.

Other companies, like Atomic, we put a thin shim under the insole (or a slightly thicker insole) to make the whole size feel tighter. If you buy an aftermarket footbed or remove the shim, both are the same then.

But since most every boot is 2:1 lasted (2 sizes out of 1 shell) with heat moldable liners, it doesn't really matter if you buy a 26 or a 26.5
13 years ago
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whipperr
Posts: 12 - Karma: 10

  Ive bought boot on my own from shops without trained boot fitting knowledge. Those boots I thought were good. The last pair after making a very expensive mistake I bought to big thinking they were OK but somthing wasnt quite right? I was lucky to sell them and went to a shop WITH a trained boot fitter last year. Night and Day!! my skiing improved beyond my expectations all because of the proper fitting boot. i dont even notice I have a boot on now really!! They are just an extention of my leg. I can ski anything anywere any time with way more eaze than ever before.

   Get your boots done at a boot Fitter and see the real differnace this accually does make!! Anyone who thinks it doesnt hasnt ever had there boots and eligment checked with a laser and a computor anilize there pressure points! Belive it or not. Ussually if you buy your boots from a shop like this they fit with all the bells and whistles  included to get the proper fit.

  Granted some very few persons can hop right in a boot and go. Thats very rare though. Ill bet 98% of us would beniffit from a {proper} fitting boot and adjustment.

13 years ago
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,003
badingdingding. This is why I have had no issue in the past while fitting, going up a .5 size in a boot if I size them at say, 27, and they find the boot slightly too narrow or something. Just a half size more can sometimes do the trick, without putting someone in the wrong shell size.
13 years ago
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AJizzle
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 522
Wierd, I already had the OP at 0/10
13 years ago
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